Combined rotary and push type snow plow



March 5, 1968 E. WANDSCHEER 3,371,434

COMBINED ROTARY AND PUSH TYPE SNOW PLOW Filed Feb. 5, 1965 4Sheets-Sheet 1 March 5, 1968 E. WANDSCHEER 3,371,434

COMBINED ROTARY AND PUSH TYPE SNOW PLOW Filed Feb. 5,1965 4 Sheets-Sheet2 wmwo/e; El/f/FT WA/VDfCf/EER March 5, 1968 E. WANDSCHEER COMBINEDROTARY AND PUSH TYPE SNOW PLOW Filed Feb.

' 4 Sheet s-Sheet 5 March 5, 1968 E. WANDSCHEER 3,371,434

COMBINED ROTARY AND PUSH TYPE SNOW PLOW 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 5,1965 United States Patent 3,371,434 CDMBINED ROTARY AND PUSH TYPE SNOWPLOW Evert Wandscheer, 451 3rd Ave. NE., Sioux Center, Iowa 51250 FiledFeb. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 430,723 12 Claims. (Cl. 37-43) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A snow plow having an impeller mounted for rotation in aplane parallel to the line of travel. The impeller is mounted in aninner shell which, in turn, is pivotally mounted in an outer shell. Theinner shell can, therefore, be rotated relative to the outer shell, andmeans is also provided to pitch the inner shell relative to the outershell.

This invention pertains to snow removal equipment and more particularlyto a combination rotary and push plow to be attached to a highway motortruck or the like.

In the clearing of snow from highways, streets and the like the usualtechnique is simply to push the snow from the roadway over to the edgeof the road. This results in the piling up of snow into snow ridges allalong the roadway. To the public driver these snow ridges are extremelybothersome and may be dangerous. With additional snowfall and wind,these existing snow ridges catch the drifting snow and deposit the addedsnow on the roadway. The roadway may be cleared again, but the snowridges are forced higher. As winter continues this accumulation togetherwith snow drifts resulting from protected areas causes the snow removalsituation to grow steadily worse.

By my invention I provide a machine in which the snow is directed intothe center of my machine, and is discharged by means of a rotatingimpeller and guided by its chute throwing the snow to the right or leftof the roadway into an area completely away from the roadway.

The object of my invention is to utilize the forward momentum of themotor truck, whereby the force of the snow into the center of my machineis coordinated with the impeller in such a manner that the course of thesnow follows along the sides of the push plow area and directly into thearea along the perimeter of the said impeller. The course of the snowdoes not make any abrupt change in direction, thereby requiring lesspower consumption. Accordingly, more truck power is available to allowthe motor truck snow plow to travel at proper highway speeds.

A further object of my invention is to provide an impelled fix'ed withina shell in the form of the lesser segment of a sphere whereby the entiremechanism is designed to be rotated to the right or left in such amanner as to allow the snow to follow through the machine with a minimumamount of change in direction. Accordingly the natural flow of the snowwill follow gradually into the discharge chute. My combinationrotary-push snow plow thus utilizes the speed of the motor truck todeliver the snow into a tilted impeller with no decrease in the movementof the flow of snow into the impeller, and further in deep snow driftsthe flow of the snow is only increased or accelerated by means of thesaid impeller.

A- m-ore complete understanding of my invention in its embodiment may behad from a study of the following specifications and figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a combination rotary-push snow plowembodying my invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view longitudinally of the device of FIG. 1,separated from the truck,

3,371,434 Patented Mar. 5, 1968 FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view ofa small part of the rear of the housing,

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view opposite of that of FIG. 1, showingrotating and tilting mechanics for a modified housing,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the tilting mechanism for themovable housing,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 from the opposite directionand with the impeller and inner housing removed,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the inner movable housing and its impelleras removed from the part shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 is a front view of my snow plow showing the impeller and itsrelated housing with discharge chute shown in section and rotated to theright,

FIG. 9 is a front view of my snow plow showing the impeller and itsrelated housing with discharge chute shown in section and rotated to theleft,

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary lateral sectional view showing of the impellerand its fork member support and drive means,

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the impeller axle, knuckle and driveshaft removed from my device,

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the worm gear and knuckle that is relatedto parts in FIG. 11, and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of the rotor and its housingremoved from the snow plow showing the motivating power source.

Briefly my device comprises a snow plow having a body adapted to collectsnow into the body and a power driven throwing means mounted within thebody. The entire throwing means is so mounted that it can be tilted tothrow the snow to either side of the road being cleared.

More specifically and referring to the drawings I have illustrated mydevice as mounted on a truck 10. It will soon be apparent that thedevice could be mounted on a tractor or any other mobile vehicle aswell. A mounting means 11 of the type conventionally used is adapted tocarry the plow. Raising or lowering of the mounting means isconventionally accomplished by use of a hydraulic cylinder 12 undercontrol of the operator of the vehicle. The mounting of the device isstrengthened by use of gusset plates 13 between the mounting means 11and the outer shell of the body of the device.

The outer shell, as best shown in FIG. 6, is formed of a rear portion 15shaped as the lesser segment of a sphere to which is fixed a forwardportion 16 having side wings 17 which are overturned slightly to preventsnow from flying out of the top of housing. The bottom 18 of the forwardpart is formed in V-shape to guide the snow into the housing. Blades 19of hardened steel or the like may be bolted onto the edges of theV-shape in customary manner. An adjustable shoe 14 (FIG. 1 or 4) isprovided on which the device may rest or slide when in use.

The inner shell 20- of the housing is also of segmented spherical shapeadapted to rest within the rear portion 15 of the outer shell. In orderto provide for tilting motion of the inner shell, I provide forfastening the two portions together at a single pivot point (FIG. 3). Atthis point the outer shell may be reinforced as shown and a bolt 22extending through the two shells provides the fastening holding themtogether. In order to provide for ease of tilting, I provide a bearingmeans 21 fixed to the inner shell 20 and journalled in the reinforcedouter shell 15 although such bearing is not essential to the operationof my device. It will be apparent that the bearing means might also becarried by a framework adapted to support it.

In addition to the motion of the device as provided by the constructionshown in FIG. 3, I also envision that it may be desirable to pitch mydevice forward or backward as well as tilting it to one side or theother. Because of the spherical surfaces used on the shells, this iseasily possible by the alternative structure as best shown in FIGS. 4and 5. In order to accomplish this result I provide a plate 23 slidablein a substantially vertical direction, and which may be held in place byan arcuate gib and way type of construction. This plate then providesthe pivot point for tilting the inner shell. Control of the position ofsuch plate is accomplished by use of hydraulic control means includingan hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly 24 mounted to a bracket 25 on theouter shell 15 and connected to the plate 23. A chute 26 to direct theflow of snow from my device is also formed as a part of the inner shell.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that I have providedfor pitching the inner shell about the pivot point A which is the centerof the concentric spherical shells either through the are B (FIG. 4) orB (FIG. or tilting it sideways through the are C (FIG. 4) about the samepoint. The pitching of the chute through are B or B makes possible thedirecting of the thrown snow to either side of an intersection. Forexample, as the intersection is approached, the chute is directedrearwardly as far as possibte. As soon as the snow being thrown hits theedge of the intersection, the chute is pitched forward to its extremeforward position thus directing snow beyond the intersection. Also, thetilting of the movable shell 20 and chute 26 to either side makespossible the throwing of snow to either side of the road being cleared.Control of the sidewise motion may also be accomplished through thehydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 29 fixed to the two shells and bymeans of conventional pivotal brackets 30.

Within the inner shell 20 is mounted a snow throwing device, This deviceconsists principarly of a driven impeller. My preferred form of theimpeller is illustrated, although it will be understood that otherpossible constructions and formations may be used. For my preferredembodiment I form my impeller of a web 31 having an axle 36 journalledin a fork member 33. The fork 33 is fixed to the inner shell in theregion of the chute 26 as best shown in FIG. 10. As shown in thatfigure, the web 31 is dished so that a single knuckle 32 located at thecenter of motion of the inner shell may be used to allow for tilting orpitching of the impeller about that center. It should be obvious that asthe inner shell is tilted or pitched in any direction, it carries theimpeller with it since the fork 33 is incorporate part fixed to theinner shell 2%. In spite of any movement of the inner shell the driveremains proper because of the location of the knuckle 32 at the centerof movement.

At its periphery, the web 31 is shaped to carry blades or vanes 34extending transversely of the web. These blades may be of cup shape asshown, and are formed with a peripheral edge conforming to the sphericalshape of the inner shell. The cup shape is useful to contain the snowpicked up by the blades and to compact it slightly so that it will bemore efiiciently thrown by the blades. Also, I have discovered that aslightly trailing rake to the blades works also to compact the snowbetween the blades and the inner shell resulting in better throwing ofthe snow. These blades 34 may be rcmovably affixed to the impeller as isshown in FIG. 7. A gusset plate 28 is fixed to the blade or formed as apart thereof. This gusset is, in turn, bolted to the impeller as shown.Other possible removable blade mechanisms will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

Any of a number of devices may be used to drive the impeller. I haveillustrated two possibilities but many more will be envisioned by thoseskilled in the art. In FIG. 4 I have illustrated the use of an auxiliaryinternal combustion engine 38 mounted on the outer shell 15 driving areduction gear assembly 37. As shown in FIG. 12 this assembly drives adriving knuckle 39 which may be provided with an internal spline adaptedto engage the splined end of shaft 35. The second possibility is tomount an electric or hydraulic motor 46} on the impeller fork 33 adaptedto drive the impeller directly, or preferably through speed reductionmeans. This latter means does away with the use of the long shaft 35 andthe drive knuckles 32 and 39, and utilizes flexible tubes or wires toaccommodate the motion of the inner shell 20 relative to the carryingvehicle 10.

Additional refinements for more efficient operation of my device mayalso be provided. For example, in order to prevent the snow which mightbe carried beyond the chute 26 by the blades 34 from falling into theoperating mechanism of the impeller or onto the snow being picked up, Iprovide a pair of arcuate vanes 41, one on each side of the impeller.These are fastened to the fork 33 and are carried thereby throughwhatever motion of the inner shell 20 is provided. Also, a side cuttingblade 42 is provided to cut snow away from the side of the fork 33 andto avoid undue compaction of the snow in the side of the housing. Anadjustable cover shield 43 may also be provided at the top of the deviceto prevent the throwing of small amounts of carried over snow upward infront of the driver of the carrying vehicle thus blinding the driver.

It should be noted that my device utilizes the centrifugal force on thesnow on the impeller to throw the material as contrasted to blowing it.Thus, the impeller is not driven at high speed to create a wind, but isdriven only fast enough to throw the snow. The peripheral speed shouldalways be somewhat higher than the forward speed of the device so thatsnow picked up by the blades 19 will be carried away by the impellerwithout jamming it. However, it should be noted here that the forwardspeed of the device is utilized to carry the snow into the impeller,thus requiring considerably less power to drive it than would benecessary to pick up the snow from a stationary position.

Having thus described my invention in its embodiment I am aware thatfurther and extensive variations may be made therefrom without departingfrom the spirit and scope of my invention as limited only by thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A snow plow adapted to be carried by carrying means along adesignated line of travel comprising mounting means on said carryingmeans, outer shell means fixed to said mounting means, said outer shellmeans including side walls and a bottom, inner shell means, pivot meansconnected between said inner shell means and said. outer shell meanswhereby said inner shell is pivotally movable relative to said outershell on an axis approximately parallel to said line of travel, forkmeans mounted on said inner shell means, driven impeller meansjournalled on said fork means transversely of said inner shell means,and between the legs of said fork means whereby said impeller rotates ina plane substantially parallel to said line of travel.

2. The device of claim 1 in which controlled power means is connectedbetween said inner and outer shell means to move said inner shell meanspivotally relative to said outer shell means in a controlled manner.

3. The device of claim 2 in which drive means is mounted on said outershell and connected to said impeller by shaft means.

4. The device of claim 2 in which said inner shell means is ofsubstantially segmented spherical shape, said impeller carrying bladeshaving peripheral edges of shape concentric to said inner shell means.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said blades are removably attached tosaid impeller.

6. The device of claim 4 in which said blades are disposed on saidimpeller with a slightly trailing rake.

7. A snow plow adapted to be carried by a carrying means along adesignated line of travel comprising mounting means adapted to bemounted on said carrying means, an outer shell fixed to said mountingmeans, said outer shell having a rear portion shaped as a partti-sphere,side walls and a bottom extending from said rear portion forming an openend, pivot means on said outer shell means, an inner shell ofparti-spherical shape concentric with said rear portion of said outershell, chute means extending from said inner shell, said inner shellbeing pivotally connected to said outer shell through said pivot meanson an axis approximately parallel to said line of travel, a power drivenimpeller journalled on said inner shell on an axis transverse of saidline of travel whereby said impeller rotates in a plane substantiallyparallel to said line of travel, blades on said impeller havingperipheral edges of shape concentric to the spherical shape of saidinner shell, said impeller being placed in said inner shell in positionto always discharge into said chute means.

8. The device of claim 7 in which an adjustable cover shield is slidablydisposed on said inner shell above said impeller.

9. A snow plow adapted to be carried by carrying means along adesignated line of travel comprising mounting means on said carryingmeans, outer shell means fixed to said mounting means, said outer shellmeans including side walls and a bottom, inner shell means, pivot meanson said inner shell means movably mounted on said outer shell meansthereby providing for pivotal mounting of said inner shell relative tosaid outer shell, said pivot means also being movable relative to saidouter shell in an arcuate path to pitch said inner shell means upwardand downward relative to the line of travel, driven impeller meansjournalled on said inner shell means transversely thereof whereby saidimpeller rotates in a plane substantially parallel to said line oftravel.

10. The device of claim 9 in which controlled power means .is connectedbetween said pivot means and said outer shell means to provide forcontrolled movement between said outer shell means and said pivot means,whereby the flow of the discharged snow is altered to advance orretarded angle from perpendicular to the line of travel.

11. A snow plow adapted to be carried by carrying means along adesignated line of travel comprising mounting means on said carryingmeans, outer shell means fixed to said mounting means, said outer shell6 means including side walls and a bottom, inner she] means, pivot meansconnected between said inner shell means and said outer shell meanswhereby said inner shell is pivotally movable relative to said outershell on an axis approximately parallel to said line of travel, drivenimpeller means journalled on said inner shell means transverselythereof, whereby said impeller rotates in a plane substantially parallelto said line of travel, drive means mounted on said outer shell andconnected to said impeller by shaft means, said impeller being dished,driving knuckle means included in said shaft means, said knuckle meansbeing located at the center of movement of said inner shell meansrelative to said outer shell means.

12. A snow plow adapted to be carried by carrying means along adesignated line of travel comprising mounting means on said carryingmeans, outer shell means fixed to said mounting means, said outer shellmeans including side walls and a bottom, inner shell means, pivot meansconnected between said inner shell means and said outer shell meanswhereby said inner shell is pivotally movable relative to said outershell on an axis approximately parallel to said line of travel, drivenimpeller means journalled on said inner shell means transverselythereof, whereby said impeller rotates in a plane substantially parallelto said line of travel, drive means mounted on said inner shell indirect driven relationship to said impeller and flexible powertransmission means extending from said drive means whereby power istransmitted to said drive means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 258,150 5/1882 Stock 37251,906,718 5/1933 Ritchie W 3743 2,190,325 2/1940 Bemis et a1 37432,603,007 7/1952 Fiacco 37-43 2,741,042 4/1956 Brown 3743 3,213,55210/1965 Vanvick 37-43 3,252,233 5/1966 Simi 37-43 ANTONIO F. GUIDA,Primary Examiner.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Examiner.

R. L. HOLLISTER, Assistant Examiner.

